Cincinnati Bengals head coach Zac Taylor isn’t going to force his inaugural first-round pick into a box.
Speaking after the Bengals made Alabama’s Jonah Willaims the 11th pick in the 2019 NFL draft, Taylor revealed he won’t assign the offensive lineman an official position — which is another reason they liked him so much.
The Athletic’s Jay Morrison cited Taylor as saying left tackle is Williams’ “natural position” but that the flexibility he brings to the table is preferred.
Offensive line coach Jim Turner added more, according to Morrison: “Of all positions in any sport, chemistry in O line room is a big part of success. All we kept coming back to on Williams was his character. His character is A+ and is a great fit.”
Now the Bengals will have to figure out over the course of the summer where Williams best plays as a pro during his first season. That could be inside or on the right side in place of Bobby Hart. If things really work out at the “natural” spot, Williams could play the left side, shoving Cordy Glenn either inside or to right tackle.
Either way, the Bengals sound adamant about finding their best five in front of Andy Dalton. Williams will undoubtedly be one of those.
